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Torres Commemorates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) introduced a resolution commemorating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week which is recognized the second week of April of every year.

“After 18 years as a 911 dispatcher, I know first-hand the challenges our public safety dispatchers face, the stress they are put under, and the critical importance of their work,” said Torres. “911 dispatchers are the unsung heroes of the first responder community.”

With over 6,000 public safety call centers, known as public safety answering points, and a workforce numbering between 200,000 and 600,000, public safety telecommunicators are an important part of the first responder community and provide critical support to the nation’s law enforcement, fire, and rescue personnel. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week was created to raise public awareness of the important role public safety telecommunicators play in preserving public safety and general welfare.

“While we recognize and honor the hundreds of thousands of public safety telecommunicators working around the clock to keep our communities safe, let’s also remember the appropriate uses of 911 and the importance of maintaining lines available for true emergencies,” Torres continued. “Day in and day out, dispatchers face incredible pressure to provide help and coordinate emergency personnel at a moment’s notice, making every second count. Non-emergency calls hamper their ability to do so.”

Below is a list of non-emergency numbers for residents of California’s 35th District should they require assistance in non-life threatening situations: